@article {49651,
	title = {Cathode|electrolyte interface engineering by a hydrogel polymer electrolyte for a 3D porous high-voltage cathode material in a quasi-solid-state zinc metal battery by in situ polymerization},
	journal = {SMALL},
	volume = {20},
	year = {2024},
	month = {OCT},
	pages = {2403158},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	This work highlights the development of a superior cathode|electrolyte interface for the quasi solid-state rechargeable zinc metal battery (QSS-RZMB) by a novel hydrogel polymer electrolyte using an ultraviolet (UV) light-assisted in situ polymerization strategy. By integrating the cathode with a thin layer of the hydrogel polymer electrolyte, this technique produces an integrated interface that ensures quick Zn2+ ion conduction. The coexistence of nanowires for direct electron routes and the enhanced electrolyte ion infiltration and diffusion by the 3D porous flower structure with a wide open surface of the Zn-MnO electrode complements the interface formation during the in situ polymerization process. The QSS-RZMB configured with an integrated cathode (i-Zn-MnO) and the hydrogel polymer electrolyte (PHPZ-30) as the separator yields a comparable specific energy density of 214.14 Wh kg(-1) with that of its liquid counterpart (240.38 Wh kg(-1), 0.5 M Zn(CF3SO3)(2) aqueous electrolyte). Other noteworthy features of the presented QSS-RZMB system include its superior cycle life of over 1000 charge-discharge cycles and 85\% capacity retention with 99\% coulombic efficiency at the current density of 1.0 A g(-1), compared to only 60\% capacity retention over 500 charge-discharge cycles displayed by the liquid-state system under the same operating conditions.</p>
},
	keywords = {cathode-electrolyte interface tuning, dendrite inhibition, epitaxial zinc deposition, hydrogel polymer electrolyte, In situ polymerization, Quasi solidstate rechargeable zinc metal battery},
	issn = {1613-6810},
	doi = {10.1002/smll.202403158},
	author = {Puthiyaveetil, Priyanka Pandinhare and Torris, Arun and Dilwale, Swati and Kanheerampockil, Fayis and Kurungot, Sreekumar}
}
@article {49835,
	title = {Self-healing hydrogel electrolyte enabled by dynamic polar covalent and noncovalent interactions for high-performance rechargeable zinc-metal batteries: a leap toward sustainable energy storage},
	journal = {Advanced Energy Materials},
	volume = {16},
	year = {2026},
	month = {JAN},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	Hydrogel polymer electrolytes with superior multifunctional properties are promising alternatives to aqueous electrolytes for resolving interfacial issues in rechargeable zinc-metal batteries. In this study, an intrinsic self-healing hydrogel polymer electrolyte (PHBC-4) is synthesized, engineered through an integrated approach involving the polar covalent (B \&amp; horbar;O bond), hydrogen-bond (polyvinyl alcohol-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose interface), and coordination-type (Zn \&amp; horbar;O) interactions to enable self-healing functionality. The PHBC-4 has demonstrated high ionic conductivity (4.6 x 10-2 S cm-1), good oxidative stability (2.3 V vs Zn|Zn2+), a high cation transference number (0.89), superior tensile strength (0.32 MPa), and an impressive healing efficiency of 93\% achieved just within 5 min, confirming its robust self-healing capability. In Zn||Zn symmetric cells, it effectively suppresses dendrite growth, ensuring stable cycling for over 1032 h with an areal capacity of 1.0 mAh cm-2 at a current density of 1.0 mA cm-2. When paired with a Zn-doped MnO cathode in the rechargeable homemade pouch cell, the system delivers a high specific capacity of 160 mAh g-1 at 0.10 A g-1 and cycling stability up to 493 charge-discharge cycles at 2.0 A g-1. The self-healing ability of PHBC-4 HGPE is confirmed in a homemade pouch cell via OCV and charge-discharge tests, demonstrating stable performance. The DFT studies confirm molecular-level interactions within the hydrogel heterostructure.</p>
},
	keywords = {dendrite inhibition, flexible rechargeable zinc metal battery, high cation transference number, self-healing hydrogel polymer electrolyte},
	issn = {1614-6832},
	doi = {10.1002/aenm.202502883},
	author = {Puthiyaveetil, Priyanka Pandinhare and Kurian, Rachna Maria and Samudre, Nikhil S. and Balasubramanian, Rajalakshmi and Torris, Arun and Pockil, Fayis Kanheeram and Bhat, Suresh and Ajithkumar, T. G. and Krishnamurty, Sailaja and Kurungot, Sreekumar}
}
